The paper retriever has wandered over the border.
Yellow-and-green paper collection bins started popping up at schools, churches and other organizations within the last year. Abitibi Paper Retriever, an international paper company, sets up and empties the bins. They then recycle the paper and pay the organization a stipend based on how many tons of paper are collected each month at a particular site.
Up to 4 tons pays $5 per ton, 4 to 8 tons pays $15 per ton and more than 8 tons pays $20 per ton, said Matt Libby, a recycling representative for Abitibi.
It's a "win, win, win" situation, he said.
"The school makes money," Libby said. "The school doesn't shell out money."
The third win goes to the company.
Michael Ames, northeast manager for Abitibi Paper Retriever, said the paper is processed and baled in Wilmington, Mass., then trucked to Niagra, N.Y., or Ottawa, Canada, to be recycled at the company's plants.
"That's how we are able to do it (for organizations) for free," Ames said. "We keep our paper. We're not selling it off."
That's not until it's recycled anyway. The collected paper is made into recycled newsprint, usually grade six, and then sold to major newspapers in the Boston area for $80 to $85 per ton, Libby said.
The price of recycled newsprint is actually much higher in New Hampshire, according to Donald Maurer of the state Department of Environmental Services. It sells for $116 a ton and it's cheaper to make, he said.
"Well, you've already got the paper pulped. You don't have to move trees or pay transportation costs for the wood to be transported to the pulp mill," he said. "Recycling saves on landfills, saves on greenhouse gas emissions. It does a lot of good."
While the schools are just getting a small check, Ames said it evens out after the company's operations costs. The price of gas, wages and insurance add up to $100 for each hour a truck is on the road, he said.
A school has to have one pickup a month in order for the company to break even, Ames said. Most schools average between one and four pickups a month, he said.
But there's yet another win for those with bins.
It's about much more than the "fundraising" check, according to Patricia Mack, operations assistant for the Salem Animal Rescue League. Her agency saved $100 on last month's trash pickup bill, she said.
Between the environmental benefits, the money saved on trash pickup and the small check from Abitibi, Mack said she jumped right on the idea. Her condo association got one first, then she brought the idea to work with her.
In addition to the per ton payment, Abitibi runs a number of competitions with schools after they have had a bin for six months, Ames said. The school can set a goal, like recycling 15 percent more, and then get a bonus check if they do it. Checks range from $250 to $500, he said.
Abitibi can't afford to move farther into New Hampshire yet, Ames said, but the company is interested in maximizing the areas where bins are already set up.
Abitibi Paper Retriever bins in the area:
r Pelham Elementary School
r Pollard Elementary School in Plaistow
r Salem Animal Rescue League
r Sandown Central School
r Sandown North Elementary School
r Sandown transfer station
r St. Luke Evangelist Parish in Plaistow
